Stream of Consciousness
Red Shelves. Top Story - May 2024.
Death is a black hole. Think about it. A black hole is the corpse of a star, something once warm and bright, now come to the end of its life cycle. But some will argue that the cycle of life does not end with death. That death is merely another path we must walk once our bodies expire and our souls ascend. In that moment, when the fuel in the star’s chemical tank hits empty and the shiny matte coat explodes into supernova, the mass left behind – the corpse – becomes a black hole. We understand that, around such a vast cadaver, dimensions work a little differently in death to the way we’re used to in life. For example, light cannot escape the pull of a black hole when it hits the point of no return. That’s where it gets its colour. Space itself is contorted by a black hole. That’s where it gets its funny shape. Even time. Time slows right down the closer you get to it. The closer you get to a black hole. The closer you get to death.
By Matthew Curtis2 years ago in Humans
A Call for Hospitality
The hospitality business is a reflection of God’s Work in Creation. This was never more apparent to me than when I worked overtime as a housekeeper, surrounded by coworking mothers and fathers. Instead of going home to tuck their kids in for the night, they were tucking in sheets for strangers.
By Amelia Mapstone2 years ago in Humans
Monsters
Do you think the monsters of the world were men before they became what we know them as? I ask this in the wake of listening to the song Handlebars by Flobots. If you've never heard it I do recommend giving it a listen but this isn't a promotion so much as it is an explanation of my reasoning.
By Donny Foley2 years ago in Humans
Survival Tips That Will Get You Killed
I bet you can picture the horrifying day when you just want to enjoy the peaceful ocean, the sun caressing your skin, and the inspiring sound of waves blessing your ears. Moreover, in fraction of a second, an agonizing parting with your silence - a jellyfish sting!What now?At times like this, survival instinct comes to live its own entrance most of the time with what “the experience teaches” in form of advice. Nevertheless, can the reality of these stories compete with that of ‘make-believe’?
By Amine Oubih2 years ago in Humans
The heart of men.
In the heart of men, there lies a vast landscape of emotions, desires, and aspirations. It's a realm where love and hate dance an eternal waltz, where courage and fear engage in a relentless battle for dominance. Within this intricate maze of the human psyche, stories are born, lives are shaped, and destinies are forged.Once, in a small village nestled between rugged mountains and lush forests, there lived a young man named Kael. He was known for his kind heart and adventurous spirit, always seeking to explore the world beyond the confines of his humble home. From a young age, Kael dreamt of embarking on a great journey, to uncover the mysteries of distant lands and discover the truths hidden within the hearts of men.As fate would have it, Kael's opportunity came sooner than expected. One fateful evening, a weary traveler arrived in the village, bearing news of a far-off kingdom plagued by darkness. The king of that land, tormented by his own ambitions, had unleashed a reign of terror upon his people. Villages were pillaged, crops destroyed, and innocent lives lost to the cruelty of tyranny.Upon hearing this tale, a fire ignited within Kael's heart. He knew he had to act, to heed the call of adventure and confront the darkness threatening to engulf the kingdom. With resolve in his eyes and courage in his heart, Kael bid farewell to his family and set forth on his quest, accompanied only by his unwavering determination.The journey was arduous, fraught with peril at every turn. Kael traversed treacherous mountains, crossed raging rivers, and braved dense forests teeming with unseen dangers. Yet, through it all, he remained steadfast in his purpose, driven by the belief that within the heart of men, there existed the capacity for redemption and hope.Finally, after weeks of travel, Kael reached the outskirts of the kingdom shrouded in darkness. As he ventured deeper into its depths, he witnessed firsthand the suffering inflicted upon its people. Homes lay in ruins, fields barren, and the once vibrant streets now echoed with the cries of the oppressed.Determined to make a difference, Kael sought out allies among the downtrodden, rallying them to rise against their oppressor. Together, they formed a resistance, a beacon of hope amidst the despair that gripped the land. With each passing day, their numbers grew, fueled by the courage that burned within their hearts.As the resistance prepared for their final stand, Kael found himself face to face with the king himself, a tyrant consumed by his own lust for power. In that moment, Kael saw reflected in the king's eyes the darkness that lurked within the heart of men, a darkness born of fear, greed, and unchecked ambition.But Kael refused to succumb to despair. With a resolve as strong as steel, he confronted the king, challenging him to see beyond the shadows that clouded his judgment. In a battle that raged both on the battlefield and within their souls, Kael fought not just for victory, but for the salvation of the kingdom itself.In the end, it was not brute strength or sheer force of will that prevailed, but the power of compassion and understanding. As the sun rose on the dawn of a new era, the kingdom was liberated from the grip of tyranny, and hope was restored to its people once more.And though Kael's journey had come to an end, his legacy lived on in the hearts of those he had saved. For in the heart of men, amidst the darkness that threatens to consume them, there exists a glimmer of light, a spark of goodness that can illuminate even the darkest of nights.
By Eric anexis 2 years ago in Humans
I hope you find your peace. Content Warning.
I remember the year Kesha put out her first song after she was free of her abuser... I personally was just coming to terms with my own rape... I knew she was putting out a song about her own... I couldn't wait, it was going to be my anthem, it was going to destroy that man, it was going to be angry and full of hate and venom and justice and then it came out... it was the song "praying"
By Raine Fielder2 years ago in Humans
